Are you ready to take your hockey and thinking skills to the next level? Defence First Hockey School is here to make that happen! Recently featured in a Global News video, this one-of-a-kind hockey school is led by a former NHL defenceman who's passionate about teaching young players the art of the game. In this blog post, we'll dive into what sets Defence First Hockey School apart and why it's the ultimate destination for aspiring hockey stars. Plus, check the below video, courtesy of Global News, for an exclusive look inside the school!
Mike Weaver, seen here playing with the Florida Panthers, will be inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame on May 15. - Steve Russell/Torstar Network
Near the end, there were days when Mike Weaver would wake up with unexplained swelling on the left side of his face. Sometimes, he said, the swelling would be on the right side instead, and he could never determine the rhythm, the pattern or the cause.
It is a common misconception that a player must be drafted to play in the NHL. But there are many paths you can take to reach your dream. I’m just a hair under 5′ 9″ and never weighed more than 185 pounds, small for a defensive defenceman. I never played juniors, but I spent 15 years in pro hockey, 13 of them (633 regular-season games) in the NHL. And … I was undrafted.
Mike Weaver has announced his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL) after 11 seasons.
Weaver played in a total of 633 career NHL games with six teams: the Atlanta Thrashers, Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers and the Montreal Canadiens. The 5’10”, 183-pound defenceman scored eight goals and 89 assists for 97 points in his NHL career. Weaver also played in 28 playoff games and helped the Canadiens reach the Eastern Conference Final in 2014.
Mike Weaver has done all right for a player who was never selected at the National Hockey League draft. Not bad for a guy who has only scored eight goals in 602 career NHL games. So it should come as no surprise that Weaver operates the Defence First Hockey School during the summer.